Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon From 6 December 2010
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: tuition fees and House of Commons security
Tuition fees
Asked why the Government felt the need to table a Programme Motion this evening rather than letting the debate run its course, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that the issue had been debated at length and there was an opportunity for MPs to vote on Thursday.
On whether Vince Cable had told the Prime Minister how he intended to vote on Thursday, the PMS replied that she would not get into individual discussions with Ministers about their voting intentions. The PMS advised people to wait for the outcome of the vote.
Asked why the Prime Minister felt the need to launch a ‘rescue Nick’ strategy, the PMS said that she did not think the Prime Minister had launched such a strategy. The PMS said that the Government had a well set-out policy on Higher Education fees and there would be a chance to vote on Thursday.
Put that there was a an Early Day Motion that would probably become an Amendment on Thursday and was it the Government’s view that there had been enough consultation on the issue, the PMS replied that the Government had set out its policy and there would be a vote on Thursday.
House of Commons security
Asked if the Prime Minister agreed with various MPs that the security procedures at the House of Commons needed to be looked at again, the PMS said that the immigration authorities were looking at the case being alluded to. Security matters in the House were a matter for the House authorities, but the PMS advised people to speak to the Home Office in regard to any other details on security issues.
On whether the Prime Minister had spoken to Mr Hancock about the allegations, the PMS replied that she would not comment on individual conversations with MPs.